Brian Kelly likely falls to starting DT for Vanderbilt showdown

LSU football coach Brian Kelly will likely be without starting defensive tackle Bernard Gooden when the Tigers visit Vanderbilt on Saturday, according to latest injury flags who have an LSU defensive front to juggle at the end of the week.

Gooden, a University of South Florida transfer who was a constant presence in the interior, was listed as suspicious about the SEC breach report, via On3 reporter Pete Nakos on X, formerly Twitter. He’s dealing with a bruised collarbone in LSU’s win over South Carolina. Gooden’s absence would reduce a defensive tackle rotation that makes a lot of tough players against teams trying to grind out yards inside.

Kelly expressed cautious optimism earlier this week, saying Gooden is still “very sore” and the team will manage him carefully if he pushes for the game. That echoes what On3 reported, where sources said the current expectation is that the Montgomery, Alabama native would not be available Saturday in Nashville. The LSU medical staff and coaches prefer a measured approach; with a physical SEC scoreboard ahead, they don’t seem willing to force a player who might suffer a setback.

The Tigers’ concerns on the interior are even greater the status of linebacker Whit Weeks, who was listed as questionable after battling an ankle problem that had plagued him since earlier this season. Sunday has been the tone for LSU’s defense, and his limited availability would force coordinator Blake Baker to change personnel and could change how aggressively LSU plays off the line in obvious looks. Game planning will likely take both possibilities into account.

Vanderbilt presents a unique test. The Commodores rely on power and misdirection, and will look to exploit any thinness in the middle. That makes Gooden’s status and the availability of depth pieces a very important story for Saturday.

This looks like a wait and see game day entry. Kelly and his staff will continue to monitor Gooden and Weeks during pregame warmups, but as of Thursday, the Tigers are preparing for a possible lineup without one of their starting infielders. For LSU, the hope is that careful management now keeps key contributors available for the tougher tests ahead.